Letters to the editors: Readers weigh on election matters ahead of Nov. 8 midterm vote
With LOST unsettled, vote 'no' on TSPLOST
TSPLOST will be decided by voters on Nov. 8, while the much more critical issue of LOST will be decided by Savannah's mayor and Chatham Commission chair. The Savannah Area Chamber of Commerce's political action arm, Citizens for Progress, is framing the TSPLOST as just a penny tax. It is not.
The bigger sales tax/funding issue is LOST and Savannah property owners and renters are being negotiated with a gun to their head. If the city gives the county what it wants, it would create the need for a $3 million to $5 million city increase from the recently rolled back 12 mills and change to around 15 mills in order to restore somewhere between $25 million and $30 million in general fund revenue.
If LOST ends completely, the city would face the need for a 9 mill increase or substantial services cuts to bridge the gap of approximately $55 million to $57 million per year in revenue. Either scenario will certainly negate the recent claims by the mayor that the 2022 millage rate is the lowest in 30 years.
Voting for TSPLOST will have zero effect on our millage rates in comparison to LOST. The uncertainty surrounding the future of taxation during these historic inflationary times, along with the exacerbated housing crisis, is unacceptable. Until the LOST negotiations are complete and certainty is restored, voters should vote against any new sales taxes like the upcoming TSPLOST referendum.
John McMasters, Savannah
Chuck Feagain, Savannah
Editor's note: McMasters and Feagain lead Better Savannah, a political action committee that advocates for progressive policies in local government.
Vote 'yes' on TSPLOST to improve infrastructure
The American Society of Civil Engineers’ assessment of our country’s infrastructure is an overall grade of C-, with roads and stormwater getting the same grade - D. Chatham County is not immune to the nationwide dilemma.
Chatham County voters can address the condition of our infrastructure by voting yes for TSPLOST on Tuesday. Up to 35% of the funds comes from visitors to our county, making it a good investment. The funds allow construction of roads and drainage throughout the county. Larger projects require local matching dollars, to qualify for state and federal construction funds. Without the local match projects never move from idea to reality.
Sea-level rise is occurring. Chatham County is in better shape than others due to the infrastructure investments from previous SPLOST cycles. Long-term problems are better addressed incrementally. The current proposal requires spending funds on transportation and drainage.
Detractors focus on “One Chatham” in the project list. At the concept stage, prudence calls for a contingency fund of 10% or more to cover unforeseen costs. Focus on the big picture, and appreciate steps taken to address unknown issues.
Opinion: One Chatham to get $10.2 million in TSPLOST? Initiative is Chatham chairman's slush fund
We have the opportunity to plan for the future and address current needs. How do we pay for it and when? How many more years do you want to wait at a train crossing or at an intersection along Benton Boulevard?
Vote yes for TSPLOST, to improve the quality of life in Chatham County.
Sam McCachern, Savannah
Editor's note: McCachern sits on the Savannah Area Chamber of Commerce's board of directors. The chamber has led pro-TSPLOST marketing efforts.
A voter's guide to TSPLOST
► TSPLOST: The full project list
► Improvements to I-95 interchanges at airport, Georgia 204 on TSPLOST list
► President Street railroad tracks flyover on TSPLOST list
► Sidewalks and biking and walking trails on TSPLOST list
► West Chatham County's major roadways on TSPLOST list
► What to know about Chatham's local sales taxes
► Opinion: Chatham's transportation infrastructure is overdue for upgrades. TSPLOST is the answer
► Opinion: TSPLOST promises new roads, bridges and sidewalks. Consider the costs before you vote
Democracy is on the 2022 election ballot
I urge all to vote and vote like your life depends on it. Stop and think the most precious thing is our kids and our young are worth more than all the wealth in the world. This nation has willingly and proudly sacrificed heir blood for freedom and democracy all over this world. How can any American say there are other issues more important than protecting democracy? In the Bible what profits a man to gain the world and he loses his soul. I believe the meaning applies to this election.,
On Jan. 6, 2021, my wife and I went through shock, fear and tears. To us, the day was even worse than Sept. 11. Let me remind you most of the free world was with us. Are we not the cornerstone of freedom in the world?
I write this letter to all voters but mainly to Republicans who used to be the first to defend freedom at all costs. They truly believed in our laws and that no one was above the law. I know there are GOP voters like myself who considered Jan. 6 the breaking point.
I ask GOP voters to stand up and put first the most precious thing we have on this Earth: this nation and its democracy. I want you to vote - it is a right and the civic duty of all to vote. Remember, you may be leave your kids great wealth but if you leave them with a nation and without democracy, you leave nothing.
Robert Railey, Savannah
Make 2022 election about issues, not 2020 results
Georgia Gov. Kemp, in his sworn testimony at a Jan. 6 committee hearing, pointed out that the total votes for all of the Republican candidates for the U.S. Congress in Georgia in 2020 were 33,000 more than the total votes for then-President Donald Trump. Biden won Georgia by about 12,000 votes. Do the math.
If all 33,000 of those Georgia Republicans had also voted for Trump, he would have won Georgia by 21,000 votes. But they didn’t, and he lost Georgia even after a hand recount.
It is time we focused on real political issues. Like should we eliminate cash bail (I think we shouldn’t), or should we help Ukraine in its war against Russia (I think we should). This would be real political dialog, instead of the trumped up charges that the vote was stolen.
Michael Gardner, Savannah
Defend right to vape in Nov. 8 election
I was encouraged to see the We Vape We Vote bus tour stop here in Savannah at The Vape Loft to rally the vaping community and speak up for the right to switch from cigarettes to better, less harmful alternatives. It’s unclear why policymakers and federal agencies are working to take away our rights to quit deadly cigarettes.
In my experience as a radiation therapist, I would walk outside for lunch and see patients we just treated go right back to smoking. As I learned more about new technologies like vaping, it inspired me to open The Vape Loft to help prevent disease caused by cigarettes. What started as a single shop in Birmingham has turned into a family of stores.
But now, the federal government wants to take our rights away from us. Vaping is a proven harm reduction tool for millions of Americans who have quit combustible cigarettes and switched to better alternatives.
The government should not ban something that saves lives. It’s as simple as that. We can help change this narrative with our votes. On Nov. 8, I will be voting for candidates who reflect our active, engaged movement.
Vimesh Patel, Savannah
Remember Jan. 6 when you go to the polls
When voting for Georgia's First Congressional District U.S. representative, we should all remember Rep. Buddy Carter's actions surrounding the past presidential election. He defended baseless claims of voter fraud made by Donald Trump and other Republicans. He joined in an attempt to erase the votes of four states, including Georgia and the people in his own district by signing an amicus brief supporting the Texas lawsuit with that purpose. And he infamously and unjustifiably objected to the certification of Georgia's electoral votes, and this following the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol which he characterized as "a few who got out of control."
Carter betrayed his oath of office, the U.S. Constitution, his country, Georgia, and his constituents in a calculated attempt to serve his own personal interests regardless of the ill effects of his betrayal. Some of his constituents may feel that Buddy represents their values and policies, but this is only true if their interests and values are solely the advancement of Buddy as he has indisputably proven by his actions.
By re-electing Carter, we would be attesting that we accept and support these betrayals, that all that matters is "to win." Consider what is lost if we do. For the good of our country, our state and ourselves, do not send Carter back to Congress.
Stephen and Carol Young, Pooler
This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: Letters to the editor 2022 midterm general election insights
